The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Center is so overcrowded that it is unable to receive non-emergency patients.

In a statement, the hospital said it is currently receiving "a high number of patients in need of hospitalization or critical care."

This has the effect of testing the emergency services. Consequently, the establishment is not able to receive patients who are not in a category four or five emergency condition.

The hospital is asking affected citizens to see their doctor, go to a rapid access clinic or dial 8-1-1.